Collective Worship at Coberley
At Coberley C of E Primary School, daily collective worship is an important part of our life together. Rooted in our Christian foundation and our vision, “Nurtured, Cherished and Inspired for Fullness of Life,” worship gives pupils, staff and visitors time to come together, reflect and grow.
Our worship is broadly Christian in nature and inclusive of all pupils. We recognise that everyone may come from a different background and be at a different stage in their spiritual journey. Worship is invitational, inspirational and inclusive, with space for spiritual and moral reflection.
Why we worship together
Collective worship helps us build a sense of unity and community. It offers time to consider our choices, take responsibility for our actions and reflect on how we can make a positive difference to the lives of others and our own.
A key theme is respecting the dignity and worth of every person. Through worship, we support pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, including their understanding of British Values and Protected Characteristics. Our Christian values - courage, compassion and kindness, justice, resilience, respect and honesty - are woven through worship and everyday school life.
Each day, we gather as a whole school, with a dedicated moment for prayer and reflection.
Our Weekly Worship
- Monday: Collective worship led by Headteacher, Mrs E Black
- Tuesday: Singing worship led by Mrs Roberts
- Wednesday: Christian Value worship led by Miss Dowdall
- Thursday: Open the Book worship led by Mr Duncan McGaw, Chair of Governors, and Mr Merry
- Friday: Celebration worship led by the senior leadership team, with all staff
Pupil worship leaders
Pupil worship leaders from Owls and Kestrels classes help shape our worship. They choose and lead a prayer to begin and end each gathering. They also help care for the worship space in the hall, support the spiritual areas in classrooms and look after the prayer and suggestion boxes around school.
Ow, Wow and Now moments
We use a shared language to help us notice and reflect on important moments in our days and lives:
- Ow moments are times we may find difficult or feel hurt or upset.
- Wow moments are times we feel proud of an achievement or notice something beautiful.
- Now moments are times when we pause, pay attention and be present.
These moments help us recognise our feelings, celebrate what matters and make space for reflection.
Prayer and reflection in the classroom
Each classroom begins the day with a morning prayer and ends it with an afternoon prayer. These regular moments give pupils and staff further opportunities to reflect.
Every classroom also has a spiritual space for personal reflection. Teachers and pupils care for these spaces together, making them welcoming places for individual spiritual development.
Through worship, prayer and reflection, we seek to nurture and cherish every member of our community, inspiring each person to live with kindness, respect and purpose.
St Giles Church
We have close links with Coberley St Giles Church and hold school services there each year including Harvest, Christmas and Easter. Our services at St Giles Church are a valued part of school life. They bring our vision and values to life and give pupils opportunities to share, reflect and contribute to the wider Coberley community.
Classes also have opportunity to regularly visit the church for enrichment of the RE and Worldviews Curriculum.
Father Julian and Rev Pooley play an active role in our school community and help strengthen our connection with the church. Gathering in this special spiritual setting gives pupils an opportunity to contribute to each service. They may share readings, hymns and prayers, taking part in moments that bring our school and wider community together.
Learning and living our values
Taking part in services can help pupils grow in confidence and develop their oracy skills, including speaking clearly in front of an audience. It also offers meaningful ways to reflect on our Christian values, such as compassion and kindness, respect, courage and honesty.
Through worship, pupils can celebrate together, consider the needs of others and feel part of a community that nurtures and cherishes everyone.
Fullness of Life Opportunities
Enrichment opportunities are available to our pupils at several times throughout the school year, and enable pupils to explore faith, music and community while growing in courage, kindness and resilience. Recent opportunities have included visiting Gloucester Cathedral to visit the new organ, taking part and performing in an iSingPop concert, diocesan activities for pupils and staff, and an annual residential trip to Christian Adventure Centre, Viney Hill.
